New Hampshire Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a New Hampshire assisted living residence. Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, Health Facility Licensing Unit
New Hampshire Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in New Hampshire, contact New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, Health Facility Licensing Unit at (603) 271-9039 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the New Hampshire Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at (800) 442-5640 or (603) 271-4375.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a New Hampshire assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In New Hampshire, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Residence–Residential Care (ALR-RC) and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in New Hampshire
Assisted living residences in New Hampshire are licensed and investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, through its Health Facility Licensing Unit. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state — not the federal government — is the primary authority responsible for setting standards, inspecting facilities, and acting on complaints.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in New Hampshire
You can report concerns to the Health Facility Licensing Unit by phone at (603) 271-9039, by email at HFA-Licensing@dhhs.nh.gov, or by submitting a complaint through the Department's website at dhhs.nh.gov/file-complaint-against-health-facility-nh. Complaints can be made in writing or by phone, and you may file anonymously. Provide as much detail as possible — the facility name and location, the names of residents and staff involved, and specific dates, times, and descriptions of what happened — so investigators can act effectively.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not issue a separate memory care license. Memory and dementia care are provided within assisted living residences, which must meet additional requirements — including staff training and appropriate safeguards — when they serve residents who need a secured or specialized care environment. Complaints about a memory care setting follow the same process — you report them to the Health Facility Licensing Unit using the phone number, email, or online complaint route above.
New HampshireAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How New Hampshire Licenses Assisted Living
New Hampshire licenses assisted living as an Assisted Living Residence–Residential Care (ALR-RC) under the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, governed by administrative rule He-P 804. Memory and dementia care are provided within these residences, which must meet additional requirements when they serve residents who require a secured or specialized care environment.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years. A discovery rule may apply, meaning the clock may not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
After the Health Facility Licensing Unit receives a complaint, it is prioritized by the severity of the allegations. Complaints alleging immediate jeopardy to a resident's health or safety are investigated on an expedited basis, while lower-priority complaints are scheduled for review within a longer window.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and licensing inspections of assisted living residences are generally unannounced, allowing investigators to observe actual conditions and care without advance notice to the facility.
Complainant Notification
If you provide contact information, the Licensing Unit will generally notify you of the outcome of the investigation, including whether the allegations were substantiated, once the review is complete.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are confirmed, the Department can require a plan of correction, impose conditions or restrictions on the license, levy fines, and in serious cases suspend or revoke the residence's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New Hampshire. The Health Facilities Administration accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, Health Facility Licensing Unit: dhhs.nh.gov
- Resident rights — RSA 151:21: law.justia.com
- New Hampshire Long-Term Care Ombudsman: dhhs.nh.gov
- Mailing address — New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Facilities Administration, Health Facility Licensing Unit: Health Facility Licensing Unit, NH Department of Health & Human Services, 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New Hampshire?expand_more
How do I report a problem and how quickly is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in New Hampshire?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.